Anxiety decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as there was no evidence of a current disability, and the preponderance of the evidence did not support her assertions regarding her claimed conditions.,Service connection was denied for Crohn’s disease, joint pains (including right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome and finger pain), skin disability (eczema), gastrointestinal disability (chronic diarrhea), abnormal weight loss, and psychiatric disorder (PTSD and adjustment disorder with acute anxiety).

The Board has remanded several issues for further development and clarification, including the reopening of a schizophrenia claim and service connection for various psychiatric disorders. The Veteran's right ovary wedge resection is also being addressed with a separate rating.,Additional medical records need to be obtained from SSA and attempts should be made to obtain her full service personnel records.

The Veteran's Major Depressive Disorder with Anxiety is granted service connection as it is proximately due to his service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. Service connection for Obstructive Sleep Apnea is remanded.

The Board has denied service connection for Generalized Anxiety Disorder and Persistent Depressive Disorder, as well as the Veteran's claim for a TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to service.

Service connection is granted for low back degenerative disc disease (arthritis).,Service connection is also granted for an acquired psychiatric condition, including PTSD, unspecified anxiety disorder, and memory loss.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for major depressive disorder and unspecified anxiety disorder, finding that these conditions are at least as likely as not related to his military service.

The Veteran's PTSD including generalized anxiety disorder has been rated at 50 percent since April 13, 2018. The Board found that the severity, frequency, and duration of his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development, including service connection claims and examinations. The Veteran's case is not ready for final decision.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and the need for additional medical examinations.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further examination and opinion regarding her service-connected migraines, psychiatric disability (anxiety, depression), and entitlement to TDIU.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and TDIU have been remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations, as well as the unavailability of his current contact information. The appeal seeking a TDIU remains inextricably intertwined with the increased rating claims.

The Board has found that the Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically PTSD, needs further development and remanded. The case will be returned to the VA for a new examination and comprehensive medical opinion.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and TDIU due to a lack of adequate examination and opinion regarding these issues.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating of 50 percent for PTSD prior to February 17, 2017 was denied. The claim for a higher rating of 70 percent for PTSD from February 17, 2017 was also denied.

The Board denied the claims of service connection for prostate cancer, an acquired psychiatric disorder to include anxiety disorder and PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and left knee disability due to lack of evidence showing current disabilities or residuals from service-connected conditions. The Veteran's prostate cancer was in remission at the time of service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, finding insufficient evidence to link his current condition to his time in service.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability (other than PTSD with depression), to include anxiety, is granted. The initial rating for service-connected tinnitus remains at 10 percent. Other claims are remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient development and need for an addendum opinion regarding the Veteran's anxiety disorder.

The Board has decided that new evidence received since the last denial supports reopening of the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and anxiety. However, the claim is still pending as it needs further examination to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to inadequate development and lack of sufficient rationale in previous decisions. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, other specified anxiety disorder, is being reviewed for aggravation by his service-connected disabilities. His back disability and left leg neurological disability are also being reviewed for causation or aggravation by his service-connected knee disabilities.